Maharashtra tendu pluckers to get bonus

The Maharashtra Government has finally come out with a Government Resolution (GR) to facilitate distribution of bonus to about 4.5 lakh tendu leaf collectors in the state. The Indian Express has been highlighting the red tape in Forest and Finance ministries responsible for inordinate delay in the matter.

In April last year, the Government had decided to plough back the revenue from allotment of tendu blocks to contractors into the tendu areas in the form of bonus to pluckers. However, the correct decision wasn’t followed up with interest by the departments concerned, leading to the file gathering dust. The beneficiaries, mostly poor tribals from eastern Vidarbha, kept waiting for about Rs 14 crore from the 2006 and Rs 87 crore from 2007 season.

The Government published the much needed GR, but only for 2006. “I have received the GR copy and we will start the process as early as possible,” said Alindra Chandra, in-charge, Chief Conservator of Forest.